Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet (QRSAW)
FAC-010-2.1 — System Operating Limits Methodology for the Planning Horizon
Registered Entity: (Must be completed by NPCC)
Régie Identification Number: (Must be completed by NPCC)
Applicable Function(s): Planning Authority – PA
Auditors:
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
1
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Disclaimer
This Québec Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet (QRSAW) was developed to facilitate NPCC’s assessment
of a registered entity’s compliance with this Reliability Standard and its appendix specific to Quebec (the
Appendix). This QRSAW contains all of the same substantive questions and issues as the NERC RSAW used in
the United States. QRSAW language is written to specific versions of each Reliability Standard and its
Appendix. Entities using this QRSAW should choose the version of the QRSAW applicable to the Reliability
Standard being assessed. While the information included in this QRSAW provides some of the methodology
that NPCC has elected to use to assess compliance with the requirements of the Reliability Standard, this
document should not be treated as a substitute for the Reliability Standard or viewed as additional Reliability
Standard requirements. In all cases, the Regional Entity should rely on the language contained in the Reliability
Standard itself, and not on the language contained in this QRSAW, to determine compliance with the Reliability
Standard. The Reliability Standards can be found on the Régie’s website at http://www.regieenergie.qc.ca/en/audiences/NormesFiabiliteTransportElectricite/NormesFiabilite.html. Additionally, Reliability
Standards are updated frequently, and this QRSAW may not necessarily be updated with the same frequency.
Therefore, it is imperative that entities treat this QRSAW as a reference document only, and not as a substitute
or replacement for the Reliability Standard. It is the responsibility of the registered entity to verify its
compliance with the latest version of the Reliability Standards, approved by the applicable governmental
authority,
relevant
to
its
registration
status
(http://www.regieenergie.qc.ca/en/audiences/NormesFiabiliteTransportElectricite/RegistreEntites.html).
This QRSAW provides a non-exclusive list, for informational purposes only, of examples of the types of
evidence a registered entity may produce or may be asked to produce to demonstrate compliance with the
Reliability Standard. A registered entity’s evidence submitted as per the examples contained within this
QRSAW does not necessarily constitute compliance with the applicable Reliability Standard, and NPCC
reserves the right to request additional evidence from the registered entity that is not included in this QRSAW.
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
2
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Subject Matter Experts
Identify your company’s subject matter expert(s) responsible for this Reliability Standard.
Response: (Registered Entity Response Required)
SME Name
Title
Organization
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
3
Requirement
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Reliability Standard Language
FAC-010-2.1 — System Operating Limits Methodology for the Planning Horizon
Purpose:
To ensure that System Operating Limits (SOLs) used in the reliable planning of the Bulk Electric System (BES)
are determined based on an established methodology or methodologies.
Applicability:
Planning Authority
Reliability Standard effective date in Québec: January 1, 2016
Requirements:
R1.
The Planning Authority shall have a documented SOL Methodology for use in developing SOLs within
its Planning Authority Area. This SOL Methodology shall:
R1.1.
Be applicable for developing SOLs used in the planning horizon.
R1.2.
State that SOLs shall not exceed associated Facility Ratings.
R1.3.
Include a description of how to identify the subset of SOLs that qualify as IROLs.
Describe, in narrative form, how you meet compliance with this requirement: (Registered Entity
Response Required)
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
4
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
R1 Supporting Evidence and Documentation
Response: (Registered Entity Response Required)
-
Provide the following:
Document Title and/or File Name, Page & Section, Date & Version
Title
Date
Version
Audit Team: Additional Evidence Reviewed:
This section must be completed by NPCC.
Compliance Assessment Approach Specific to FAC-010-2.1 R1

Verify the Planning Authority has a documented SOL Methodology to be used for developing SOLs
within its Planning Authority Area. Verify the SOL Methodology:
o Is applicable for developing SOLs used in the planning horizon.
o States the SOLs do not exceed associated Facility Ratings.
o Includes a description of how to identify the subset of SOLs that qualify as IROLs.
Auditors detailed notes:
R2.
The Planning Authority’s SOL Methodology shall include a requirement that SOLs provide BES
performance consistent with the following:
R2.1.
In the pre-contingency state and with all Facilities in service, the BES shall demonstrate
transient, dynamic and voltage stability; all Facilities shall be within their Facility Ratings and
within their thermal, voltage and stability limits. In the determination of SOLs, the BES
condition used shall reflect expected system conditions and shall reflect changes to system
topology such as Facility outages.
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
5
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
R2.2.
R2.3.
Following the single Contingencies1 identified in Requirement 2.2.1 through Requirement
2.2.3, the system shall demonstrate transient, dynamic and voltage stability; all Facilities shall
be operating within their Facility Ratings and within their thermal, voltage and stability limits;
and Cascading or uncontrolled separation shall not occur.
R2.2.1.
Single line to ground or three-phase Fault (whichever is more severe), with Normal
Clearing, on any faulted generator, line, transformer, or shunt device.
R2.2.2.
Loss of any generator, line, transformer, or shunt device without a Fault.
R2.2.3.
Single pole block, with Normal Clearing, in a monopolar or bipolar high voltage
direct current system.
Starting with all Facilities in service, the system’s response to a single Contingency, may
include any of the following:
R2.3.1.
Planned or controlled interruption of electric supply to radial customers or some
local network customers connected to or supplied by the Faulted Facility or by the
affected area.
R2.3.2.
System reconfiguration through manual or automatic control or protection actions.
R2.4.
To prepare for the next Contingency, system adjustments may be made, including changes to
generation, uses of the transmission system, and the transmission system topology.
R2.5.
Starting with all Facilities in service and following any of the multiple Contingencies
identified in Reliability Standard TPL-003 the system shall demonstrate transient, dynamic
and voltage stability; all Facilities shall be operating within their Facility Ratings and within
their thermal, voltage and stability limits; and Cascading or uncontrolled separation shall not
occur.
R2.6.
In determining the system’s response to any of the multiple Contingencies, identified in
Reliability Standard TPL-003, in addition to the actions identified in R2.3.1 and R2.3.2, the
following shall be acceptable:
R2.6.1.
Planned or controlled interruption of electric supply to customers (load shedding),
the planned removal from service of certain generators, and/or the curtailment of
contracted Firm (non-recallable reserved) electric power Transfers.
1
The Contingencies identified in R2.2.1 through R2.2.3 are the minimum contingencies that must be studied but are not necessarily
the only Contingencies that should be studied.
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
6
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Describe, in narrative form, how you meet compliance with this requirement: (Registered Entity
Response Required)
R2 Supporting Evidence and Documentation
Response: (Registered Entity Response Required)
-
Provide the following:
Document Title and/or File Name, Page & Section, Date & Version
Title
Date
Version
Audit Team: Additional Evidence Reviewed:
This section must be completed by NPCC.
Compliance Assessment Approach Specific to FAC-010-2.1 R2

Verify the Planning Authority's SOL Methodology included a requirement that SOLs provide BES
performance consistent with:
o In the pre contingency state and with all Facilities in service, the BES shall demonstrate transient
stability, dynamic stability and voltage stability
o All Facilities shall be within their Facility Ratings
o All Facilities shall be within their thermal, voltage and stability limits.
o Verify in the determination of SOLs, the BES condition used reflected expected system
conditions and reflected changes to system topology such as Facility outages.

Following the single Contingencies identified in Requirement 2.2.1 through Requirement 2.2.3, the
system shall demonstrate transient stability, dynamic stability and voltage stability
o All Facilities shall be within their Facility Ratings
o All Facilities shall be within their thermal, voltage and stability limits.
o Verify Cascading Outages or uncontrolled separation shall not occur.
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
7
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
o Single line to ground or three phase Fault (whichever is more severe), with Normal Clearing, on
any Faulted generator, line, transformer, or shunt device.
o Loss of any generator, line, transformer, or shunt device without a Fault.
o Single pole block, with Normal Clearing, in a monopolar or bipolar high voltage direct current
system.
Note: Starting with all Facilities in service, the system’s response to a single Contingency, may include
any of the following:
o Planned or controlled interruption of electric supply to radial customers or some local network
customers connected to or supplied by the Faulted Facility or by the affected area.
o System reconfiguration through manual or automatic control or protection actions
o Verify the methodology addresses preparation for the next Contingency, including system
adjustments, changes to generation, uses of the transmission system, and the transmission system
topology.

Starting with all facilities in service and following any of the multiple Contingencies identified in
Reliability Standard TPL-003, the system shall:
o Demonstrate transient, dynamic and voltage stability;
o All Facilities shall be operating within their Facility Ratings and within their thermal, voltage
and stability limits.
o Verify Cascading Outages or uncontrolled separation shall not occur.
Note:
In determining the system’s response to any of the multiple Contingencies, identified in Reliability
Standard TPL 003, in addition to the actions identified in R2.3.1 and R2.3.2, the following shall be
acceptable:
o Planned or controlled interruption of electric supply to customers (load shedding),
o The planned removal from service of certain generators,
o The curtailment of contracted Firm (non-recallable reserved) electric power Transfers.
Auditors detailed notes:
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
8
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
The Planning Authority’s methodology for determining SOLs, shall include, as a minimum, a
description of the following, along with any reliability margins applied for each:
R3.
R3.1.
Study model (must include at least the entire Planning Authority Area as well as the critical
modeling details from other Planning Authority Areas that would impact the Facility or
Facilities under study).
R3.2.
Selection of applicable Contingencies.
R3.3.
Level of detail of system models used to determine SOLs.
R3.4.
Allowed uses of Special Protection Systems or Remedial Action Plans.
R3.5.
Anticipated transmission system configuration, generation dispatch and Load level.
R3.6.
Criteria for determining when violating a SOL qualifies as an Interconnection Reliability
Operating Limit (IROL) and criteria for developing any associated IROL Tv.
Describe, in narrative form, how you meet compliance with this requirement: (Registered Entity
Response Required)
R3 Supporting Evidence and Documentation
Response: (Registered Entity Response Required)
-
Provide the following:
Document Title and/or File Name, Page & Section, Date & Version
Title
Date
Audit Team: Additional Evidence Reviewed:
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
9
Version
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
This section must be completed by NPCC.
Compliance Assessment Approach Specific to FAC-010-2.1 R3

Verify the Planning Authority’s methodology for determining SOLs includes at a minimum, a
description of the following, along with any reliability margins applied for each:
o Study model (must include the entire Planning Area and critical modeling details from areas that
would impact the Facility(s) under study)
o Selection of applicable Contingencies.
o Level of detail of models used to determine SOLs
o Allowed uses of Special Protection Systems or Remedial Action Plans.
o Anticipated transmission configuration, generation dispatch and Load level.
o Criteria for determining when violating SOL qualifies as and IROL.
Auditors detailed notes:
R4.
The Planning Authority shall issue its SOL Methodology, and any change to that methodology, to all of
the following prior to the effectiveness of the change:
R4.1.
Each adjacent Planning Authority and each Planning Authority that indicated it has a
reliability-related need for the methodology.
R4.2.
Each Reliability Coordinator and Transmission Operator that operates any portion of the
Planning Authority’s Planning Authority Area.
R4.3.
Each Transmission Planner that works in the Planning Authority’s Planning Authority Area.
Describe, in narrative form, how you meet compliance with this requirement: (Registered Entity
Response Required)
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
10
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
R4 Supporting Evidence and Documentation
Response: (Registered Entity Response Required)
-
Provide the following:
Document Title and/or File Name, Page & Section, Date & Version
Title
Date
Version
Audit Team: Additional Evidence Reviewed:
This section must be completed by NPCC.
Compliance Assessment Approach Specific to FAC-010-2.1 R4

Verify the Planning Authority issued its SOL Methodology, and any change to that methodology, to all
of the following prior to the effectiveness of the change:
o Each adjacent Planning Authority and each Planning Authority that indicated it has a reliabilityrelated need for the methodology.
o Each Reliability Coordinator and Transmission Operator that operates any portion of the
Planning Authority’s Planning Authority Area.
o Each Transmission Planner that works in the Planning Authority’s Planning Authority Area.
Auditors detailed notes:
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
11
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
R5.
If a recipient of the SOL Methodology provides documented technical comments on the methodology,
the Planning Authority shall provide a documented response to that recipient within 45 calendar days of
receipt of those comments. The response shall indicate whether a change will be made to the SOL
Methodology and, if no change will be made to that SOL Methodology, the reason why.
Describe, in narrative form, how you meet compliance with this requirement: (Registered Entity
Response Required)
R5 Supporting Evidence and Documentation
Response: (Registered Entity Response Required)
-
Provide the following:
Document Title and/or File Name, Page & Section, Date & Version
Title
Date
Version
Audit Team: Additional Evidence Reviewed:
This section must be completed by NPCC.
Compliance Assessment Approach Specific to FAC-010-2.1 R5

If a recipient of the SOL Methodology provides documented technical comments on the methodology,
verify the Planning Authority provided a documented response to that recipient within 45 calendar days
of receipt of those comments. Verify whether the response indicated a change will be made to the SOL
Methodology and, if no change will be made to that SOL Methodology, the reason why.
Auditors detailed notes:
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
12
Québec Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Supplemental Information
Other - The list of questions above is not necessarily all the evidence required to show compliance with the
Reliability Standard. Provide additional information here, as necessary that demonstrates compliance with this
Reliability Standard.
Entity Response: (Registered Entity Response)
Compliance Findings Summary (to be filled out by auditor)
Req. NF PNC OEA NA
Statement
1
2
3
4
5
NF-No Finding; PNC-potential non-compliance; OEA-Open Enforcement Action; NA-Not applicable
Revision History
Version
1
Date
March 2016
Reviewers
Initial Document
Revision Description
Document Created from NERC RSAW
Compliance Questionnaire and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet
Registered Entity: ___________________
Régie Registration Number: ______________________
Compliance Assessment Date: _____________
QRSAW Version: QRSAW_FAC-010-2.1_v1EN
Revision Date: March 2016
13